The Ledges

Located in the town of Wilmington in Windham County, The Ledges is a very small beige sand beach with many rocky portions.  The beach is positioned along Lake Harriman, which is actually a reservoir primarily used to control water flow to a power generator downstream from the Harriman Dam.  The beach offers incredible views of Harriman Dam and Mountain Mills.

The Ledges does not have lifeguards but offer many other amenities including benches, picnic tables, a boat ramp, and portable toilets.

The Ledges offers several fun activities, including sunbathing, beachcombing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, and swimming.  If you are planning to go into the water, it is an ideal spot to swim, as the waves are usually calm.  The water near the beach is shallow, making it ideal for kayaks, canoes, and small boats.  If you enjoy fishing, you may catch a wide variety of fish here.  The beach is often considered a nude beach – there is a designated clothing-optional area near the rocks on the beach.  The Ledges is ideal for visitors looking for a serene experience, as this beach sees fewer visitors than other nearby beaches.  Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.

The Ledges does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to The Ledges is easy - it has free street parking spots located at the end of Ward's Beach Access Road.  After parking, visitors have to hike for 10 minutes through the woods to access the beach.

The Ledges is a perfect spot to relax and unwind while enjoying the sunset.

There are many attractions near The Ledges.  Southern Vermont Natural History Museum is a biological reserve that offers interesting exhibits and educational programs focused on the cultural and natural history, ecology, and geology of the region.  Hogback Mountain Conservation Area is part of Green Mountain National Forest, which preserves the fragile ecosystem and biodiversity of the region.  It offers many fun activities, including hiking, snowshoeing, hunting, horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife viewing.  Dover Town Park is a dog-friendly neighborhood park that offers many amenities, including a large playground with a swing set, a gazebo, benches, picnic areas, picnic tables, paved paths, and trash cans.  Mt. Mills West Picnic Area is a dog-friendly picnic area positioned along Harriman Reservoir that offers several amenities, including shaded picnic areas, picnic tables, and a barbecue grill facility. Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, walking, and picnicking.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Molly Stark State Park is spread over 726 acres and is home to mountain ridges, small streams, beaver ponds, and is surrounded by Mount Olga. The park offers many fun activities, including camping, picnicking, hiking, and winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants within a seven-minute drive of The Ledges.  Clara's Cucina Italiana serves incredible salads, soups, eggs, panini, crepes, steaks, seafood, beef, pork, poultry dishes, and desserts.  Robert's Roadhouse serves amazing salads, sandwiches, bruschetta, prime ribs, steaks, seafood, beef, and poultry dishes.  La Casita serves steaks, quesadillas, burritos, fajitas, seafood, beef, poultry dishes, and desserts.  TC's Family Restaurant serves delicious Chinese cuisine, including soups, salads, flatbreads, steaks, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, poultry dishes, and desserts.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, The Maple Leaf Tavern serves salad, soups, burgers, steaks, short ribs, seafood, beef, pork, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near The Ledges, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Chesterfield Inn is 38 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a restaurant, a lounge with a fireplace, and complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Inn on Putney Road Bed and Breakfast, which has several amenities, including a billiard table, a hot tub, a pub, and complimentary breakfast.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Four Chimneys Inn & Restaurant, which has a few amenities including fireplaces, gardens, courtyards, and complimentary breakfast.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star The White House Inn which offers a few amenities, including a spa, a sauna, a whirlpool, a fitness center, and complimentary breakfast.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star The Nutmeg has a few amenities, including fireplaces and complimentary breakfast.